THE City of Whittlesea council has welcomed news that there are regulations for data centres introduced, but noted that it does not address the proposed, and approved, new centres in South Morang.
The new rules, introduced by the State Government on Tuesday, requires new data centres to power itselves with its own renewable energy supply, protect homes and roads by applying a buffer zone between buildings and homes of at least 150 metres, and that data centres pay its way by becoming part of a local investment guarantee, which funds jobs, TAFE and parks.
Minister for Artificial Intelligence Anthony Carbines said the changes needed to be sensible.
“Data centres power our lives and support banking, healthcare, transport and emergency services,” he said.
“Companies like Amazon and Microsoft choose to invest in Victoria – that will continue within sensible guardrails.”
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said data centres needed the buffer zone.
“Data centres must bring their own supply to protect our energy costs – and they can’t be built near homes,” she said.
However, while pleased action was taken to regulate development, City of Whittlesea Mayor Councillor Lawrie Cox said it was not in time to make changes for the proposed data centre in McDonalds Road in South Morang.
“At its August meeting, Council resolved to lobby the Victorian Government for regulations to support the appropriate development of data centres,” he said.
“We welcome news that the State Government will take steps to regulate the planning of data centres, in particular prohibiting them from inappropriate locations such as residential areas and in the Green Wedge.
“While this will go some way to supporting local residents for future applications, it does not address situations where the Victorian Government has already approved centres such as 525-535 McDonalds Road in South Morang.
“We look forward to receiving more information about the action plan and how it will be implemented.”
Previously, the meeting in August saw councillors voice strong opposition to the data centre proposal, remaining consistent with its messaging since it was approved by the State Government, bypassing previous processes.
The new regulations, in which a buffer zone is introduced, was one of the key concerns among many councillors back in August.
“For me, the key issue is getting the balance right between economic development and protecting the community amenity. Residents deserve clear information about the potential impacts of the development, particularly in regard to noise, lighting, energy and water use,” Councillor Chaman Tiwari said at the August meeting.
“South Morang is a growing community where families have invested in their homes and their neighbourhood. Any major development must be considered in regard to the existing community.”
Cr Martin Taylor had also added his concerns in the August meeting.
“I’m in no doubt that we need a form of data centres – my concern is the location, the lack of interaction and the lack of engagement that the developers of these centres have had with the communities to which they have been placed in, in particular, I’m extremely concerned at the lack of engagement with the people of South Morang, and I think it has to stop,” he said.
